SUMMER FILL AND FUEL BUDGETING PROGRAMS.

SEC. 602. SUMMER FILL AND FUEL BUDGETING PROGRAMS. (a) Part C of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: “SEC. 273. SUMMER FILL AND FUEL BUDGETING PROGRAMS. “(a) Definitions.—In this section: “(1) Budget Contract .—The term ‘budget contract’ means a contract between a retailer and a consumer under which the heating expenses of the consumer are spread evenly over a period of months. 114 STAT. 2041 “(2) Fixed-price contract.—The term ‘fixed-price contract’ means a contract between a retailer and a consumer under which the retailer charges the consumer a set price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil without regard to market price fluctuations. “(3) Price cap contract.—The term ‘price cap contract’ means a contract between a retailer and a consumer under which the retailer charges the consumer the market price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil, but the cost of the propane, kerosene, or heating oil may exceed a maximum amount stated in the contract. “(b) Assistance.—At the request of the chief executive officer of a State, the Secretary shall provide information, technical assistance, and funding— “(1) to develop education and outreach programs to encourage consumers to fill their storage facilities for propane, kerosene, and heating oil during the summer months; and “(2) to promote the use of budget contracts, price cap contracts, fixed-price contracts, and other advantageous financial arrangements, to avoid severe seasonal price increases for and supply shortages of those products. “(c) Preference.—In implementing this section, the Secretary shall give preference to States that contribute public funds or leverage private funds to develop State summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. “(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— “(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and “(2) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter. “(e) Inapplicability of Expiration Provision.—Section 281 does not apply to this section.”. (b) The table of contents in the first section of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. prec. 6201) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 272 the following: “Sec. 273. Summer fill and fuel budgeting programs.”.